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Somerset scent victory after good day

Somerset moved into a position of dominance at Taunton as Warwickshire collapsed to 158 all out on day two of their LV= County Championship Division One clash.

Having been 336 for four at one stage yesterday evening, Somerset were dismissed for 406 this morning, with the hugely impressive Jos Buttler stranded on 119 not out.

If the reigning champions felt they had seized some momentum, such thoughts were quickly dispelled as wickets tumbled at regular intervals on an apparently blameless pitch.

Rikki Clarke's 31 represented the best contribution from the defending champions, while Alfonso Thomas finished as the pick of Somerset's attack with 3-29.

Skipper Marcus Trescothick, opting not to follow on, then struck a breezy 37 - the highlight of which was an upper-cut six off Clarke - only to fall lbw to a Jeetan Patel delivery that turned as the hosts closed, with an imposing lead of 294, on 46 for one.

Buttler resumed on 90 but quickly lost Craig Overton, who was plumb lbw to a length ball from Chris Woakes.

Somerset's bowlers followed up the outstanding efforts of Jos Buttler, pictured, to leave champions Warwickshire under pressure at Taunton

Untroubled by his partner's exit, England's limited-overs wicketkeeper-batsman was soon back into his stride and a delightful cover-driven four off Woakes brought up his third first-class century.

Clarke prevented Buttler from adding significantly to his tally, removing Somerset's final three batsmen in quick succession.

Thomas and Jack Leach played on, while Jamie Overton was caught at first slip for a golden duck after edging a snorter that took the outside edge and bounced up off wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose's gloves.

Warwickshire's reply started dismally as Will Porterfield chipped Jamie Overton straight to cover with the score on nought.

That wicket came courtesy of an innocuous delivery, yet Overton was unfortunate not to add to his tally during a wonderful opening spell in which he maintained an excellent line and length.

Instead, it was Peter Trego who struck the next blow shortly before lunch, trapping Varun Chopra lbw for 13.

Jim Troughton was dropped early in the afternoon by Trescothick, but the unfortunate bowler, Thomas, responded by having Warwickshire's captain caught behind and then won a leg-before verdict against Ambrose when an inside-edge went unnoticed by umpire Nick Cook.

There was little doubt about Thomas' next strike as Laurie Evans edged a jaffa through to gloveman Craig Kieswetter.

Woakes hinted at a substantial innings before cutting the reintroduced Jamie Overton, who by this stage was seemingly hampered by a side problem, straight to point.

Clarke, who proved strong down the ground, was then run out by Trescothick's direct hit as he and Ateeq Javid sought a third to fine-leg.

Somerset further strengthened their hold on proceedings as Leach bowled Patel, ill-advisedly playing back to a full ball, and Craig Overton had Chris Wright caught behind for a duck.

Javid was dropped on 11 by Nick Compton at short extra-cover off Leach, yet it mattered little as the left-arm tweaker pinned Oliver Hannon-Dalby plumb in front soon after.